Welcome to the FMSC Outdoor Program Classroom!

The following programs offer exciting learning opportunities as schools return for the Fall/2021 term. Please consider which programs seem most suitable to meet your curriculum needs. FMSC works hard to keep your programs fresh, innovative, exciting, hands-on, learning filled adventures. This remains our promise entering our 38th year of science service. Working with you, the Science Center will also adapt any of our programs to fit your curriculum. Let us help invigorate your STEAM requirements and challenges as you begin the 2021/2022 school season. Together, teamwork and partnership can make all the difference between the ordinary and extraordinary this year. Welcome back to the Francis Malcolm Science Center!

FMSC Outdoor Nature Classroom Fall/2021

Note: (All programs typically one hour in length, unless indicated otherwise or arranged with teacher to meet classroom needs. Call Mr. Berz @ 999-6340 for further details; FMSC promises a rapid response to your inquiry.)

"Birds! Birds! Birds!"
(All Grades):  Students experience and learn more of bird structure, characteristics, habitability, and adaptations. Following the presentation, students will hike on one of the FMSC trails as well as visit the bird sanctuary to listen as well as search for birds, applying knowledge to seek characteristics and adaptations

"Mammals Menagerie"
(All Grades):  Learn more of the major characteristics of mammals including examples of hand-on species.   How many characteristics can students identify pertaining either to Maine mammals in general or those specifically located in the Science Center?

“The World of Wood” (Tree Talk)"
(All Grades): This program marvelously introduces students to the wonder tree “know-how” as we examine the mixed deciduous forest of the Science Center grounds and hiking trails. Students will cap their visit by creating a simple booklet of trees to reinforce their discoveries.

"Decorate a Tree"
(Pre & K):  Come make a simple birdfeeder “necklace” and place them in our woods for feathered friends to enjoy. Hiking along the Science Center trail adds to the adventure and discovery of the natural environment and landscape.

"Tale on a Trail”(2 hour program)"
(All Grades): Follow “The Tale on the Trail” by reading Flip, Float, and Fly, by JoAnn Early Macken. As we do so, let’s investigate and record the plants found on the FMSC Plantation Trail. Determined the methods of seed transport by what you find! Seeds and related “travelers” come under study and understanding of the natural world.

"Pond Study”  (2 hour program)"
(3rd & up):  Students travel off-site to investigate pond habitat in nearby Easton, taking away broad application of scientific instrumentation, group collaboration, data collection and analysis of habitat characteristics and life cycles.

"The Big Dig: Rocks and Minerals"
(3rd & up): Students develop research skills in identifying samples of rocks and minerals. Collaborative team effort focus upon luster, hardness and related characteristics. Teams connect raw materials with application to modern life necessities in the home and community.

"Creeping and crawling; Investigating Insects"
(Pre-4th): The fascinating world of insects comes under investigation including encounters with specimens to reveal underlying characteristic, structure, adaptations, and behavior. Students additionally spend time, weather permitting, seeking and identifying insects on grounds and trails of Science Center to create insect catalog of local environment. Offered Spring/Summer/Fall

"Weather Wonders: The Methods of Meteorology"
(K-4th): Cloud types, temperature, air pressure, and precipitation serve as investigative backdrop to better understanding our planet’s unique atmosphere. Following the presentation, students will observe clouds above for identification and draw clouds to identify their findings.

"Where am I? The Craft of Compass and Map"
(2nd & up): Map skills offer students opportunities to better understand the compass, topographical map interpretation, and related content. Students will test those skills as group detectives by creating a compass course to solve a mystery.

"Taste of the County: Apple Cider Press"
(All Grades): Learn how technology meets nature in the processing of the local and delicious apple. From tree to taste, apples pressed on-site with the Science Center apple cider press will give hands-on applications to simple machines meeting human needs. (Groups will bring containers and apples)

"The Sky’s the Limit: Telescope Tour of the Francis Malcolm Observatory "
(All Grades): Constructed and supervised by Eagle Scout candidate and graduate of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, the FMSC roll-top roof observatory offers students first-hand encounters with the world of astronomical observation. Students will learn telescope basics, the function of observatories, and weather permitting, first-hand observations of selected sights.